Prime Minister Dr. Edouard Ngirente today officially launched a gas extraction project on Lake Kivu in Karongi district, Western Province. The project is intended to provide a long-term, environmentally friendly and affordable source of domestically produced gas.
The investment to be undertaken by GasMeth Energy Ltd includes producing the gas (held in solution in the water), processing it on barges tethered in the lake, piping it to shore, compressing it, and distributing it as Compressed Natural Gas (“CNG”) within Rwanda.
“I would like first to congratulate Gasmeth for partnering with the Government of Rwanda in undertaking this important project for our country,” underlined Dr Ngirente.
The Prime Minister observed that this key strategic project will create a level of energy independence for Rwanda, removing the dependence on imported energy sources.
Indeed, projects and partnerships like these play an important role in our journey towards domestic energy security, he added.
Gasmeth Energy Ltd was awarded a 25-year Concession Agreement by the Rwandan government to extract methane gas from the deep Methane-rich waters of Lake Kivu.
The CNG will replace other fuels on the market such as; gasoline, diesel fuel, peat, coal, wood and LPG. The gas will be used primarily in Rwanda’s transportation, industrial, household, and power generation sectors and, eventually, for export.
“We are excited to be moving to the next phase of the project. One step closer to realising our plans for supply of a cleaner self-sufficient energy source for Rwandans,” said Gasmeth CEO Stephen Tierney.
The CEO of Rwanda Development Board Clare Akamanzi said that Rwanda is on a journey of transformation and prosperity and looking for investments that are inclusive, sustainable and of good quality. “Today, we are very pleased that we are launching a project that fulfills all these objectives.”
